Author: Darlene

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Just Felt Like Running Virtual 5k

I signed up for Detroit Runner’s Virtual 5k which was supposed to be run on Saturday, March 5.  Saturday I did my long run and then Monday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

So yesterday I ran my 5K race.

I was tired of the treadmill at the gym so I braved the 14 degree temps at 7 am in the morning. I dressed in my usual winter layers and hoped that the roads wouldn’t be too icy.

They weren’t  – just here and there you had to slow down and walk over the icy patches.

Ever since October when I started training for my first half marathon, my pace has slowed to a crawl – sometimes over 12 min/mile. Always over 11 min.  That’s OK for long runs but not for a 5K.

Even when I was training for 5ks, my runs were slower than my actual race pace. I can’t seem to motivate myself to not stop when I get tired. In a race, I can push myself because I am very competitive.

So on this cold morning, with teary eyes and runny nose, I finished at 32:19. Not even close to my 27:20 PR but under 11 min/mi is a good run for me these days.  (The last mile was 10:15)

Today it was raining!! I stayed after work and used the treadmill.  For the first time!! Yes, we have 2 treadmills at work.  They are on the stage in the gym.  Lucky the curtain is closed.  It is dark and there are no TVS and no people.  Kinda creepy.  I watched an episode on “The Good Wife” on my iPod and ran my usual SLOOOOOW 3 miles.

Tomorrow is a REST DAY!  I have a race on Saturday — Runnin of the Green – 4 miles. A new race for me!! I’m excited!

Happy Running!

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TENNIS … running or RUNNING … tennis

Life before running was tennis tennis tennis and more tennis.  I played almost everyday.  I played on at least 4 teams.  My friends were mostly tennis players.

USTA 2.5 team 2002

USTA 3.0 team 2010

In 2008, 2 of my tennis friends introduced me to running through the No Boundaries program.  Ever since, I’m been obsessed with running.

Slowly, my tennis time has decreased and my running time increased.

Now I play tennis only once or twice a week.  I play on one team.

I run 4 time a week.  I run in at least 15 races per year.  I have even run  a Half Marathon. When I go into a sports store, I leave with running clothes and running shoes instead of tennis clothes.  I now have running friends. 

I don’t keep up my tennis blog but post almost daily in this blog.

So tonite was the kick off dinner for the USTA season.  I sat with all my friends and they talked about the upcoming season & how we hope to win it all.

Me?  I thought about my run tomorrow morning and my next half marathon.

Happy Running!  Anyone conflicted about running?

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Snow Day (Again)

The only thing good about snow days if that I can sleep in and then go to the gym later.  That is what I did yesterday on my surprise snow day.

My hubby drove me, waited while I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and then we went out to breakfast.

Eventually the sun came out and started melting things but left the ice hanging from all the trees. 

This morning I had planned to run a quick 3 miles on the slushy roads before work but I couldn’t get out of bed!!!! Tennis tonite…tomorrow I am gonna run!!!!!

Still hoping for an early spring!!

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #29 & Monday Goals

 

Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic: Music Montage

This Week’s Question: If you had a soundtrack for your training and racing, what songs would appear on it?  

  1. I Run for Life – Melissa Etheridge
  2. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
  3. Running on Empty – Jackson Brown
  4. Stronger – Britney Spears
  5. Don’t Stop – Rolling Stones
  6. Don’t Stop Believin – Journey
  7. Strong Enough – Cher
  8. Just Dance – Lady GaGa
  9. Harder to Breathe – Maroon 5
  10. Runnin Down a Dream – Tom Petty
  11. I Gotta Feeling – Black-Eyed Peas
  12. Help – The Beatles
  13. How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox 20

and many more…
 

Goals for this week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 20 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 19 miles.
I played tennis twice and did yoga once.

This was Week #5 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  7 weeks to go! (Although I haven’t registered yet.)

This week’s schedule:

Tues – tennis after work
Wed – USTA dinner
Fri – mah jongg

This week’s running:

Tues – 3.5  miles before work
Wed– 3.5  miles before work
Thurs – 4  miles after work
Sat  –  4  mile Race (my 2nd ever)
Sun – 6 miles

 
Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles 
March  Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Sunday is not Sun Day

I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve seen this show but Saturday night my hubby & I enjoyed it as much as the first time.

My running schedule called for a long run on today but the weather forecast was 90% chance of heavy rain.

So although I went to bed late, had several glasses of wine while playing Mah Jongg Friday evening, I decided I’d better do my 9 mile run on Saturday.

I’m not going to beat myself up too badly but it was probably my worst run ever!! It was windy, humid and threatening rain.  I felt like quitting after 2 miles.  Nothing hurt.  I just couldn’t get going.  I walked A LOT!  I willed myself to finish the 9 miles and actually my last mile was the fastest.

I’m glad I did it.  It is cloudy and drizzling now.  Plans for this rainy day include:  laundry, cleaning, nails, grocery shopping  and helping a friend set up her new computer.

Happy Running!

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Foto Friday

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I don’t know how he gets up there.  I know my hubby secretly lets him in the bedroom or bathroom window (as well as one other cat).  I am trying to train him to get down by himself.  And he did! Who knows how?? ( I have 5 cats but only 2 climb on the roof when they want to come in.)

This morning was also another treadmill day – 3 miles and one episode of  “The Good Wife.”

Tonight is Mah Jongg nite!! I won 4 times last time and I’m still resting on my laurels!

Happy Running!

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Three Things Thursday

  1. I hate the cold.
  2. I hate the ice.
  3. I hate the wind.

Now that that’s clear.  I need to decide if I am running the half on Apr 23, sign up and increase my weekly mileage.

Monday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but played tennis after work. No miles!
Tuesday, I ran 3 miles outside before work dancing over the ice patches and played tennis after work.
Wednesday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but planned to run after work.

BUT I couldn’t move forward, the wind was so strong.  I went to yoga instead. No miles!

The yoga class was GREAT!! I felt so good afterwards but when I back out to my car (parked by the curb on a 4 lane street), someone had knocked the side mirror off my car!!!! My hubby took it for an estimate – almost $600 to fix.  Ouch!

Today when I got up, it was -4 with the wind chill and there was a light coating of snow on the ground.  Off to the gym I went to run 4 miles on the treadmill.

To make matters worse, they predict rain for  the weekend (My long run of 9 miles is scheduled!!) I think I’d rather be cold than wet for hours 😦  HELP!!

Happy Running!

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My Run, the Terry Hitchcock Story

Fathom Events is hosting another nationwide one-night event on Thursday, March 31st. Sponsored by Active.com, it is the showing of the award winning documentary, My Run.  It features Terry Hitchcock, a 57 year old man who ran 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days in an effort to increase awareness of the challenges of single parents after he became one himself when his wife lost her battle with breast cancer. Tickets are on sale now with a portion of  proceeds benefiting the Livestrong Foundation. More details can be found here.

It is playing in Albany, NY! I hope to attend!

Here’s the promo:

Happy Running! Bring on Spring, please!

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ABCs of Me

This seems to be going around the blog world so here’s mine:

(A) Age: 57.  I will turn 58 on May 9.  (I really don’t feel that old!!)
(B) Bed Size: Queen
(C) Chore You Hate: Cleaning esp. the bathroom (I have a maid once a month)
(D) Dogs: Nope but I have 5 cats
(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Breakfast – coffee (latte) and hot cereal (oatmeal or cream of wheat)
(F) Favorite Color: Don’t really have one.  I used like yellow.  Sometimes I like pink.  I wear a lot of black. If I had to choose it would be yellow (like the sun).
(G) Gold or Silver? Both but not at the same time
(H) Height: 5ft 4 in.
(I) Instruments You Play: None – I used to play the violin in 4th grade.  Does that count?
(J) Job Title: Instructional Technolgoist (work at a law school helping faculty use technology)
(K) Kids: 2 stepsons (23 & 24)
(L) Live: Delmar, NY
(M) Mom’s Name: Annabel
(N) Nicknames: Dar, Dee but most people call me Darlene
(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? For  a collapsed lung many years ago
(P) Pet Peeve:  People who are late. Procrastinators.
(Q) Quote from a Movie: “‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.'” – Forest Gump
(R) Right or Left Handed? Right.
(S) Siblings: 1 younger brother
(T) Time You Wake Up? On run work days 6 am, on a non run work days 7am, on the weekend 8 am
(U) Underwear: Cotton/Spandex briefs
(V) Vegetable You Dislike: Raw onions
(W) What Makes You Run Late: Deciding what to wear
(X) X-Rays You’ve Had Done: Teeth, chest, neck, right shoulder, left knee, right foot
(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Butternut Squash /Pumpkin Soup, Apple Pie, Lasagne
(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Pandas, Lions

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March Madness

Can’t believe it’s March already!  20 days till spring! YAY!!

My Goals for March are :

  • 70 miles (combo of outside & treadmill – hopefully more outside)
  • 4 mi race PR (faster than 40:11)
  • a 5k race with under 10 min/mi pace (PR not necessary while training for another HM)
  • Follow Half Marathon training schedule

February Recap:

 

My Goals were:
  • 60 miles (combo of outside & treadmill) -YES – I ran 68  miles – YAY!
  • 4 mi race – YES – Polar Cap in Lk George on 2/5/11 in 40:11 – 3rd in AG award
  • Follow Half Marathon training schedule – YES – 4 weeks down, 8 to go – longest run = 8.5 mi!!

Happy Running! Hope we have an early spring!